Speech by Patriarch Alexy of Moscow and All Russia during the ceremony of presenting awards “For Outstanding Work in Strengthening the Unity of Orthodox Nations” for 2002
10.02.2003 · English
SPEECH BY PATRIARCH ALEXY OF MOSCOW AND ALL RUSSIA DURING THE CEREMONY OF PRESENTING AWARDS “FOR OUTSTANDING WORK IN STRENGTHENING THE UNITY OF ORTHODOX NATIONS” FOR 2002
21 January 2003, Moscow, Hall of Church Councils of the Christ the Savior Cathedral
Your Beatitude, Your Excellency Mr. President, Your Eminences and Excellencies, respected representatives of government authorities, esteemed President of the Foundation Prof. Valery Arkadyevich Alexeyev, dear guests, beloved fathers, brothers and sisters,
It is with joy that I greet you all who came today to Christ the Savior Cathedral to honor the winners of the award “For Outstanding Work in Strengthening the Unity of Orthodox Nations”. For several years, people who have excelled in church, state and public service have been presented with the award instituted by the Unity of Orthodox Nations International Foundation acting under our auspice.
Today, we will honor His Beatitude Ignatios IV, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, Primate of the oldest Apostolic Orthodox Church of Antioch; His Excellency President of Bulgaria Georgy Pyrvanov; Speaker of the Russian State Duma Gennady Seleznyov; Mr. Aadu Luukas, an outstanding Estonian public figure and businessman; and the Orthodox Academy of Crete.
It is profoundly symbolic that the initiative to present the outstanding figures of the Orthodox world with the Foundation awards takes place in the beginning of the 3rd Millennium. The great anniversary emboldened our hearts with new inspiring hopes. These awards are not only the recognition of prizewinners’ personal services, but also an important witness that the service to the ideals of Orthodoxy wins worldwide public recognition.
It is gratifying that Primates of Churches, state leaders, international organizations and businessmen are awarded. May their charitable work marked with public support serve as a convincing example for others.
We attach great importance to the fact that the prizewinners come to Russia to get in touch with of our sensitive and sincere people who, despite all hardships, seek peace, harmony and spiritual unity with fraternal nations of the same faith. I repeat that we are always prepared to share any sorrow with these nations and even more their joys.
Walking along the way shown by our Lord Jesus Christ is a difficult task in today’s world. In the 20th century humanity encountered unheard-of persecutions against the faith and the Church, and a wild outburst of theomachy. Unfortunately, the beginning of the 21st century did not bring us consolation, as the world saw the dreadful face of terrorism that is able to break thousands of human lives in a flash. Therefore people who are vested with the trust of their nations, who are in power are called today to promote peace, cooperation and loyalty to the law, and should be merciful and compassionate to their neighbors.
I would like to remind you the words of St. Peter: “Above all hold unfailing your love for one another. As each has received a gift, employ it for one another” (1 Pet 4:8-10). True Christians are called not only to follow the path of salvation, but also to bring the good fruit of service to their neighbors, homelands and nations and to humanity as a whole. There are people among these Christians who are to come up to the scene now and accept the awards “For Outstanding Work in Strengthening the Unity of Orthodox Nations” for 2002.
I would like to extend my personal thanks to all prizewinners for their blessed and self-sacrificing work and to wish them the abundant help of God in their difficult and important service to the Holy Church of Christ and Orthodox nations. I wish wellbeing, peace and joy to all those present, to all our brothers and sisters of the same faith.
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